Manager, External Events

Vizient, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaufman Hall is seeking a strategic, relationship-oriented Manager, External Events to design and deliver external engagement programs that strengthen the firm’s brand and grow client relationships across healthcare and consulting markets.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, you will translate priorities into targeted events and lead strategy, planning, execution, and measurement with practice leaders, marketing, and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in event management, marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or a related field.
• 5 or more years of experience managing corporate, client, industry, or professional services events.
• Experience managing multiple events simultaneously from concept through completion.
• Strong project management, organizational, budgeting, and vendor-management skills.
• Experience supporting executive-level, client-facing, or high-visibility events.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and event registration, project management, or collaboration tools.
• Ability to work in the Chicago office 3 days per week and travel or work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Applicants for employment must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States and with Kaufman Hall (i.e., H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN visa or any other non-immigrant status).

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual external events strategy and calendar aligned to firmwide objectives.
• Identify strongest speaker-audience-fit for events and thought leadership.
• Define event objectives, target audiences, success measures, and follow-up.
• Recommend event formats, sponsorships, and engagement approaches.
• Lead end-to-end event planning and execution (timelines, budgets, venues, registrations).
• Coordinate participation in external conferences including sponsorships and speaking opportunities.
• Manage relationships with conference organizers and external partners.
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop event messaging, materials, invitations, and post-event follow-up.
• Support executive and client engagement events for relationship-building.
• Prepare briefing materials, run-of-show, speaker guidance, attendee lists, and staffing plans.
• Establish consistent event planning processes, templates, tools and standards.
• Manage event budgets, track expenses, invoices, and provide cost reporting.
• Evaluate event performance and provide data-driven recommendations for future investments.
• Maintain records of event contacts, attendance, commitments, and follow-up activities.
• Coordinate cross-functional planning meetings and align owners on deliverables.
• Anticipate risks and resolve issues before and during events.
• Ensure events reflect Kaufman Hall’s brand and inclusive, professional experience.

Skills

Strategic event planning

Relationship management

Project management

Budgeting

Vendor-management

Executive/client engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in event management, marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Marketing automation

Event registration platforms

Virtual event platforms

Job description

The Organization

When you're the best, we're the best. We instill an environment where employees feel engaged, satisfied and able to contribute their unique skills and talents while living and working as their authentic selves. We provide extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, building both employee competence and organizational capability to fuel exceptional performance through an inclusive environment both now and in the future.

The Position

Kaufman Hall is seeking a strategic, relationship-oriented Manager, External Events to design and deliver external engagement programs that strengthen the firm's brand, deepen client relationships, and advance business development across healthcare and consulting markets.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role will translate firm priorities into targeted events and external engagement opportunities. The Manager, External Events will lead strategy, planning, execution, follow-up, and measurement in partnership with practice leaders, marketing, business development, communications, consultants, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual external events strategy and calendar aligned to firmwide business objectives, priority audiences, and growth opportunities.

• In partnership with the Thought Leadership sponsor and Talent team, maintain a roster of active speakers, expertise areas, and priority speaking topics to identify the strongest alignment between speakers, audiences, venues, and firm strategy.

• Partner with practice leaders and business development teams to define event objectives, target audiences, success measures, and desired follow-up.

• Use market trends, competitor activity, client needs, and firm priorities to recommend event formats, sponsorships, and engagement approaches.

• Lead end‑to‑end event planning and execution, including timelines, budgets, venue selection, registration, invitations, agendas, speakers, travel, catering, audiovisual needs, branding, and on‑site logistics.

• Coordinate Kaufman Hall's participation in external conferences and industry events, including sponsorships, speaking opportunities, attendee engagement, and post‑event follow‑up.

• Manage relationships with conference organizers and other external partners.

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop event messaging, promotional materials, invitations, speaker communications, social content, and post‑event follow‑up.

• Support executive and client engagement events that create meaningful opportunities for relationship‑building and business development.

• Prepare briefing materials, run‑of‑show documents, speaker guidance, attendee lists, staffing plans, and other materials needed for successful execution.

• Establish consistent event planning processes, templates, tools, and standards across Kaufman Hall.

• Manage event budgets, track expenses, process invoices, and provide regular reporting on costs, attendance, engagement, and outcomes.

• Evaluate event performance and provide data‑informed recommendations to improve future investments, formats, sponsorships, audiences, and outcomes.

• Maintain accurate records of event contacts, attendance, commitments, and follow‑up activities in partnership with business development and marketing teams.

• Coordinate cross‑functional planning meetings and ensure owners are aligned on deliverables, deadlines, and decisions.

• Anticipate risks and resolve issues quickly and professionally before and during events.

• Ensure events reflect Kaufman Hall's brand, client‑service standards, and commitment to an inclusive and professional experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in event management, marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or a related field.

• 5 or more years of experience managing corporate, client, industry, or professional services events.

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple events simultaneously from concept through completion.

• Strong project management, organizational, budgeting, and vendor‑management skills.

• Experience supporting executive‑level, client‑facing, or high‑visibility events.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders and cross‑functional partners.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and event registration, project management, or collaboration tools.

• Ability to work in the Chicago office 3 days per week and travel or work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

• Applicants for employment must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States and with Kaufman Hall (i.e., H1‑B visa, F‑1 visa (OPT), TN visa or any other non‑immigrant status).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare consulting, professional services, associations, or another relationship‑driven business.

• Experience managing conference sponsorships, executive roundtables, client forums, or thought leadership events.

• Familiarity with CRM, marketing automation, event registration, and virtual event platforms.

• Experience using event performance data to inform strategy and improve future engagement.

Core Competencies

• Strategic event and market engagement planning

• Business development alignment and client relationship strategy

• Project management and execution

• Executive and client engagement

• Vendor and budget management

• Cross‑functional collaboration

• Communication and relationship management

• Problem‑solving and adaptability

• Attention to detail

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily with reasonable accommodations.

• Work is generally done sitting, talking, hearing and typing. Visual acuity to use a keyboard, prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

Work Environment

• Travel Required: Occasional 0‑10%

• The role is based in Chicago and requires 3 days per week in office.

• Work is regularly performed in a combination of in office and home office settings, and routinely uses standard office equipment.

• It may require the maintenance of a home office and proximity to an airport for work‑related travel.

Compensation

We consider skills, experience, and organizational needs in our compensation approach. Geographic factors may adjust the range estimate, and hires typically fall below the top range. Compensation decisions are tailored to individual circumstances. The current base salary range for this role is $95,000 - $125,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kaufman Hall is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We recruit, hire, train, promote, pay, and administer all employment actions without regard to actual and also perceived or assumed protected group status as defined by the law of an individual or that individual's associates or relatives. Our policies and the law prohibit employment discrimination against any employee or applicant on the basis of any legally protected status.